Early Evening

Last night instead of 'going somewhere' to walk and take pictures, I decided to just sit and rest in a quiet spot at the bottom of our driveway and off into the woods.  Even though the elevation was much lower than that of our house on the hill, I found myself sitting on a big rock at the edge of a ledge with a significant drop leading into the swamp that sprawled before me.  I was low, but still high.  I find it amazing, first of all, to have the best of two worlds--two distinct habitats--so close to my home.  The evening sounds that come alive in each place differ, although some do overlap.  The swamplife, however, really comes alive as evening unfolds, and I had wished I had a recording device with me for you to hear what I heard!  Bisides the constant din of frogs, the vocalizations of each animal was distinct as each introduced it's sound at various times.  After a little while that new sound would cease, only for then yet another sound to come into the picture, all unrushed, unhurried.  Some birds would announce their arrival to the scene, while others silently came and left, flying passed low over the lake with steady, determined flaps, seeming to have a specific place it was flying to.  The hollow sound of a woodpecker pounding a dead tree echoed.  I loved sitting at this vantage point, overlooking the scene before me and enjoying the peace.  A boat silently drifted by and I watched the fisherman casting his line repeatedly.  I enjoyed being an observer from my lookout point, rather than be a part of the scene; having the perspective of distance, while still maintaining anonymity being in the woods provided me with comfort of serenity and solitude while the community of the swamp was an active, busy, joyous place.  I remained on that rock for quite some time resting....  watching.... listening....